KIRKSVILLE, MISSOURI -- As the chilly weather continues, some of you may turn to a space heater for your main source of heat.

Chief Randy Behrens of the Kirksville Fire Department says that is a dangerous choice to make, and you can save yourself some money in the long run, as regular furnaces cause considerably less fires than space heaters.

If you do choose to use a space heater, he has some safety advice.

“They're designed for temporary heat, so if you leave the room, unplug it, or if you leave for the day, unplug it,” he said. “Make sure it's not running while you're not there. Keep things away from them. You should have a three-foot area around your space heater at all times. Don't throw clothes on it; don't store stuff underneath them.”

He said you should also always plug your space heater directly into the outlet, not into an extension cord, and make sure it is not a tripping hazard.